Ron Wilshire of Clarion is a candidate for the Democrat nomination for Clarion County Commissioner in the May 17 primary election. Wilshire, a life-long resident of Clarion County, brings a long record of public service to the race.
Wilshire served as a member of Clarion Borough Council for 24 years, including 14 years as president, a member of various committees, and acting mayor.
He is a member of Clarion Rotary Club, Clarion County YMCA Board of Directors, Clarion-Jefferson Community Action Board of Directors, and has taught classes for Junior Achievement at Keystone High School. In the past he has also served as president of the Clarion County United Way and president of the Immaculate Conception Parish Council.
Wilshire served as assistant vice-president of university relations at Clarion University for 32 years until his retirement in July 2010. He was responsible for marketing, public relations, printing, web page development, and other duties at Clarion.
“Clarion County is facing critical challenges with the loss of industries and reductions in funding because of the state and federal cutbacks,” said Wilshire. “The funding shortages are likely to continue and Clarion County Commissioners will be called upon to make good, common sense decisions in dealing with the crisis. My experience and education can allow me to work with the other commissioners in making grounded decisions.
“While specific changes will develop once in office, I would advocate continued support of our existing Clarion County businesses. They are the ones who have made a decision to stay here and we must do everything possible, short of corporate welfare, to make sure they stay. Additionally, we must attract new industry through a closer alliance between the commissioners, county planning, the Clarion County Economic Development Corp., the Barnes Biotechnology Development Center, and others. When it comes to recruitment of business and industry that will provide family-sustaining wages, every current and former resident of Clarion County should acknowledge this as their goal. All ideas are welcome.”
Clarion County should also press the commonwealth about funding for mandated programs. “If the state will not or cannot pay for programs it mandates, it needs to provide some options for meeting mandates or exempting local municipalities, including the counties when the state does not provide sufficient funding,” said Wilshire. “For instance, some salaries, such as the district attorney, are mandated by the commonwealth, but continue to lack funding. This needs to change.”
Following graduation from Clarion Area High School in 1966, Wilshire enlisted in the U.S. Army and worked as a dispatcher and operations clerk for a heavy truck company in Khan Kaen, Thailand during a 14-month tour, receiving a Vietnam Service Medal.
Using the GI Bill, Wilshire enrolled at Clarion University following an honorable discharge from the Army. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in communication. While a student, he was a member of Student Senate, Center Board, a disc jockey with WCCB Radio, and a writer and cartoonist for the Clarion Call, the student newspaper.
Wilshire joined the Clarion News as sports editor after graduating from college, covering the local sports scene, drawing editorial cartoons, and moving to the news department where he covered Clarion County Commissioner meetings among other beats.
He continued his journalism career as editor of the Leader-Vindicator in New Bethlehem from 1976-78 where he was responsible for directing news coverage and opinion pieces.
Wilshire and his wife, Stephanie, live in Clarion and have four adult children, Hilarie, Adam, Allison, and John.